21 Apr 2014

Sharks stay top after grinding out win

6:31 am on 21 April 2014

A late try from flanker Jean Dysel ensured a seventh win in eight matches for Super Rugby leaders the Sharks, who ground out a 19-8 victory over the Cheetahs in Durban.

Dysel, with his first try in 60 Super Rugby appearances, carried the ball over at the end of sustained home pressure after a deft break from new first-five Tim Swiel had set up the chance nine minutes from the end.

It took over an hour for the first try of the game before the Cheetahs' Hennie Daniller charged down a Sharks clearance and Rayno Benjamin went over for the visitors, who had conceded 40 points or more in their previous four matches.

Frans Steyn's boot proved the difference, contributing 11 points in an error-strewn game in which the Sharks' pressure forced errors that eventually cost the Bloemfontein-based team.